I 


^H 


FROM    THE   LIBRARY   OF 


REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


/WW 


THE    C  R 


BY 

CHARLES   E.  RICHARDSON. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

J.   B.  LIPPINCOTT   &   CO. 

1879- 


Copyright,  1879,  by  Charles  F.  Richardson. 


TO    iMY    WIFE. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/crssOOrich 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

I.— Repentance 7 

II.— Confession 

.       8 

III. — Prayer 

•       9 

IV. — Consecration 

.     10 

V.— Amends 

11 

VI. — Gratitude 

12 

VII.— Love  . 

13 

VIII.— Trust 

14 

IX.— Faith  . 

15 

X.— Imitation  . 

16 

XL— Service 

17 

XIL— Diligence  . 

18 

XIII.— Perseverance 

19 

XIV.— Strength  . 

20 

XV.— Courage     . 

21 

XVI. — Prudence  . 

22 

XVI L— Temperance 

23 

XVIII.— Truth 

24 

XIX.— Justice 

25 

XX.— Charity 

26 

XXI.— Comfort    . 

27 

XXII.— Help  . 

28 

XXIII.— Patience   . 

29 

XXIV.— Hope  . 

3o 

XXV.— Purity 

3i 

(v) 


VI 

XXVI.- 

XXVII.- 

XXVIII.- 

XXIX.- 

XXX.- 

XXXI.- 

XXXII.- 

XXXIII.- 


Contents. 


-Humility 

-Sacrifice 

-Peace 

-Wisdom 

-Worship 

-Praise 

-Joy 

-Triumph 


PAGE 
32 

33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 


§tpnfantt. 


0  Christ,  who  died  for  men,  who  died  for  me, 

1  fall  before  thy  feet,  and  cannot  see 
Aught  else  beside  my  grievous  sins  and  thee. 

How  great  my  work  of  evil,  thou  dost  know, 
Thou  who  for  me  didst  grieve  and  suffer  so, 
Thou  who  for  me  upon  the  cross  didst  go. 

Whatever  thing  I  see,  or  hear,  or  speak, 
My  sin  is  still  before  me  ;  Lord  most  meek, 
Thy  strong  and  gracious  help  alone  I  seek. 

That  help  can  put  my  guilt  forever  by, 

And  make  me  strong  when  sin  again  is  nigh  ; 

Forgiving  Saviour,  give  it  or  I  die ! 


Confession. 


II. 

Weary,  O  Lord,  I  fall  before  thy  feet, 
And  try  to  tell  the  number  of  my  sins ; 

But  when  the  record  I  would  fain  repeat, 
My  tongue  is  dumb  before  its  tale  begins. 

For  very  shame  I  dare  not  speak  at  all, 
For  blinding  tears  my  sad  eyes  cannot  see, 

Until,  in  bitterness  of  soul,  I  call, 

"  Have  mercy,  Saviour,  heal  and  pity  me." 

Then  on  my  head  there  falls  a  gracious  hand, 
Which  takes  away  the  guilt  that  crushed  before ; 

I  hear  the  Saviour's  gentle  voice  command, 
"Arise  forgiven  ;  go  and  sin  no  more." 


P)ayer.  g 

III. 

If,  when  I  kneel  to  pray, 

With  eager  lips  I  say  : 
11  Lord,  give  me  all  the  things  that  I  desire; 
Health,  wealth,  fame,  friends,  brave  heart,  religious 

fire, 
The  power  to  sway  my  fellow-men  at  will, 
And  strength  for  mighty  works  to  banish  ill ;" 

In  such  a  prayer  as  this 

The  blessing  I  must  miss. 

Or  if  I  only  dare 
To  raise  this  fainting  prayer  : 
M  Thou  seest,  Lord,  that  I  am  poor  and  weak, 
And  cannot  tell  what  things  I  ought  to  seek  ; 
I  therefore  do  not  ask  at  all,  but  still 
I  trust  thy  bounty  all  my  wants  to  fill ;" 

My  lips  shall  thus  grow  dumb, 
The  blessing  shall  not  come. 

But  if  I  lowly  fall, 

And  thus  in  faith  I  call : 
"  Through  Christ,  O  Lord,  I  pray  thee  give  to  me 
Not  what  I  would,  but  what  seems  best  to  thee, 
Of  life,  of  health,  of  service,  and  of  strength, 
L'ntil  to  thy  full  joy  I  come  at  length  ;" 

My  prayer  shall  then  avail, 

The  blessing  shall  not  fail. 


Consecration. 


IV. 

Behold,  O  Lord,  the  life  thou  didst  bestow ; 

I  offer  thee  thine  own,  oh  make  it  thine  ! 
Let  soul,  and  mind,  and  body  purer  grow 

Till  they  be  thy  life  and  no  longer  mine. 

For  thee  my  hands  would  work,  my  lips  would 
speak, 

For  thee  my  ears  would  hear,  my  eyes  would  see ; 
Thine  are  the  ways  my  feet  would  ever  seek ; 

Take  me,  Lord  Christ,  and  make  me  like  to  thee  ! 


Amends.  1 1 


V. 

Think  not  your  duty  done  when,  sad  and  tearful, 

Your  heart  recounts  its  sins, 
And  praying  God  for  pardon,  weak  and  fearful 

Its  better  life  begins. 

Nor  rest  content  when,  braver  grown  and  strongei, 

Your  days  are  sweet  and  pure, 
Because  you  follow  evil  ways  no  longer, 

In  Christ's  defence  secure. 

Bethink  you  then,  but  not  with  fruitless  rueing, 

That  bids  the  past  be  still, 
Of  what  your  life  has  wrought  to  men's  undoing, 

By  influence  for  ill. 

Go  forth,  and  dare  not  rest  until  the  morrow, 

But,  lest  it  be  too  late, 
Seek  out  the  hearts  whose  weight  of  sin  and  sorrow 

Through  you  has  grown  more  great. 

Take  gifts  to  all  of  love  and  reparation, 

Or  if  it  may  not  be, 
Pray  Christ,  with  ceaseless  lips,  to  send  salvation 

Till  each  chained  soul  be  free. 


Gratitude, 


VI. 

latitude. 

Good  Lord,  I  would  not  thank  thee 

With  empty  thought  alone, 
My  burning  words  would  utter 

The  joys  my  life  has  known  ; 
Nor  all  with  sounding  praises 

Would  I  thy  love  display, 
But  ever  I  would  offer 

The  service  of  to-day. 

I  cannot  give  my  Maker 

Rare  gifts  from  wood  and  field, 
For  his  are  all  the  treasures 

That  earth  and  forest  yield ; 
Nor  yet  on  smoking  altar 

My  costly  homage  pay  ; 
This  sacrifice  I  offer  : 

The  service  of  to-day. 

If  but  a  cup  of  water 

To  thirsty  lips  I  bring, 
God's  eye  shall  see  me  render 

Rich  tribute  to  the  King ; 
From  gifts  I  could  not  make  him 

His  face  would  turn  away  ; 
He  asks  what  I  can  offer, 

The  service  of  to-day. 


Love.  1 3 


VII. 


govt. 


If  suddenly  upon  the  street 
My  gracious  Saviour  I  should  meet, 
And  he  should  say,  "As  I  love  thee, 
What  love  hast  thou  to  offer  me  ?" 
Then  what  could  this  poor  heart  of  mine 
Dare  offer  to  that  heart  divine  ? 

His  eye  would  pierce  my  outward  show, 
His  thought  my  inmost  thought  would  know  ; 
And  if  I  said,  "  I  love  thee,  Lord," 
He  would  not  heed  my  spoken  word, 
Because  my  daily  life  would  tell 
If  verily  I  loved  him  well. 

If  on  the  day  or  in  the  place 
Wherein  he  met  me  face  to  face, 
My  life  could  show  some  kindness  done, 
Some  purpose  formed,  some  work  begun 
For  his  dear  sake,  then  it  were  meet 
Love's  gift  to  lay  at  Jesus'  feet. 


1 4  Trust. 


VIII. 

When  skies  are  all  sweet  and  sunny, 
And  life  a  long  day  of  spring, 

Then  trust  that  the  gracious  Father 
The  fulness  of  joy  shall  bring. 

When  sorrow  is  added  to  sorrow, 
And  gladness  seems  far  and  forgot, 

Then  trust  in  the  hand  that  is  mighty, 
And  the  mercy  that  changeth  not. 

When  the  hand  of  death  is  upon  you, 

And  life  and  love  grow  dim, 
Then  trust,  for  God  shall  not  desert  you ; 

You  die,  but  you  go  to  him. 

When  the  graves  of  the  dead  are  opened, 
And  the  heavens  together  roll, 

Then  trust,  for  your  Judge  is  your  Saviour, 
Whose  death  gave  life  to  your  soul. 


Faith.  15 


IX. 

Jattlu 

Three  mocking  figures  slowly  wander  by  me, 
When  falls  my  weary  soul  on  pain  and  grief; 

And  long  with  every  evil  art  they  try  me  ; 

Their  names  are  Doubt,  Despair,  and  Unbelief. 

Their  scoffing  forms  my  shut  eyes  still  are  seeing, 
Their  hateful  plea,  though  banished,  still  I  hear, 

Until  the  very  weight  of  life  and  being 
A  greater  burden  seems  than  I  can  bear. 

Then  Faith  appears,  and  brings  her  gracious  mis- 
sion 

Of  utter  peace  to  vexed  and  storm-tossed  minds  ; 
My  eyes  no  longer  see  with  blinded  vision, 

My  troubled  soul  a  firm  reliance  finds. 

With  eager  hands  I  seize  on  truths  immortal, 
And  closely  press  them  to  my  joyous  heart ; 

Strong  Faith,  still  lead  me  onward  to  God's  portal, 
That  from  thy  gladness  I  may  never  part. 


1 6  Imitation. 


imitation. 

Where  shall  we  find  a  perfect  life  whereby 
To  shape  our  lives  for  all  eternity  ? 

This  man  is  great  and  wise ;  the  world  reveres  him, 
Reveres,  but  cannot  love  his  heart  of  stone ; 

And  so  it  dares  not  follow,  though  it  fears  him, 
But  bids  him  walk  his  mountain  path  alone. 

That  man  is  good  and  gentle ;  all  men  love  him, 
Yet  dare  not  ask  his  feeble  arm  for  aid  ; 

The  world's  best  work  is  ever  far  above  him, 
He  shrinks  beneath  the  storm-capped  mountain's 
shade. 

O  loveless  strength  !  O  strengthless  love !  the  Master 
Whose  life  shall  shape  our  lives  is  not  as  thou  ; 

Sweet  Friend  in  peace,  strong  Saviour  in  disaster, 
Our  heart  of  hearts  enfolds  thine  image  now  ! 

Be  Christ's  the  fair  and  perfect  life  whereby 
We  shape  our  lives  for  all  eternity. 


Service.  17 


XI. 

£mitt. 

If  life  were  naught  but  living, 
And  death  were  only  death, 

Would  life  be  worth  the  giving, 

Would  men  thank  God  for  breath  ? 

Ah  no  !  for  sweeter,  dearer, 
To  toil,  and  pray,  and  fast, 

If  so  the  Lord  draw  nearer, 
And  bring  his  peace  at  last. 

Who  follows  him,  sees  mercies 

In  every  bitter  pain  ; 
Who  follows  not,  finds  curses 

Beneath  all  worldly  ^ain. 


1 8  Diligence. 

XII. 

§i\i$tntt. 

If  but  at  morn  unto  your  God  you  go, 
And  seek  his  aid  for  toils  not  yet  begun, 

That  neither  haste  nor  rest  your  hands  may  know 
Until  each  daily  duty  well  be  done ; 

If  but  at  noon  your  zeal  fade  not  away, 
And  heart  and  hand  their  steadfast  work  pursue, 

In  cheery  confidence  that  all  the  day 

New  strength  shall  come  for  every  labor  new ; 

If  but  at  night  you  lay  your  task  aside, 
Nor  grieve  lest  in  God's  sight  it  seem  but  small, 

Content  to  wait,  whatever  may  betide, 
For  God  in  his  good  time  shall  finish  all ; 

Then  days  shall  wax  to  months,  and  months  to 
years, 

And  years  make  up  a  life  that  God  shall  own  ; 
And  when  the  messenger  of  Death  appears 

His  hand  shall  bring  a  laurel  from  the  Throne. 


Perseverance.  19 

XIII. 

*gtx$tvtvMcc. 

Two  voices  follow  me, 

They  both  are  always  near  ; 
When  I  am  weak  and  cowardly 

The  first  falls  on  my  ear, 
But  whether  I  am  weak  or  brave 

The  second  voice  I  hear. 

Thus  loudly  cries  the  first : 

"  In  vain  your  strength  you  spend ; 

The  way  is  long,  the  toil  is  hard, 
You  cannot  see  the  end  ; 

No  longer  struggle  up  the  steep  ; 
Come  hither,  rest  you,  friend." 

The  second  voice,  more  sweet, 

Thus  whispers  soft  and  low  : 
"  What  though  the  road  seem  rough  and  long, 

Its  every  step  I  know, 
And  I  will  help  you  all  the  while  ; 

Friend,  bravely  onward  go." 

This  is  the  voice,  O  Lord, 

That  I  will  ever  heed, 
Thine  be  the  rule  of  all  my  life, 

In  thought,  and  word,  and  deed ; 
Though  dark  and  distant  be  the  path, 

I  follow,  do  thou  lead. 


Strength. 


XIV. 

The  power  that  shaped  the  everlasting  hills 

Can  nerve  with  ghostly  strength  the  Christian's 
arm, 

For  God  himself  his  servants'  hope  fulfils, 

And  bids  them  onward  go,  secure  from  harm. 

If  he  defend  us  not,  our  strength  shall  fail, 
Though  set  about  with  all  that  man  can  give, 

But  helped  by  God,  the  weakest  shall  not  quail, 
The  fainting  shall  arise,  the  dead  shall  live. 

Nor  need  we  wait  for  some  great  crucial  day 
Before  we  seek  in  God's  defence  to  stand; 

He  guides  the  sweeping  planets  on  their  way, 
But  leads  his  little  children  bv  the  hand. 


Courage,  2 1 


xv. 


(Courage. 


We  have  chosen  to  follow  the  crucified  Lord 
Though  he  lead  us  through  dangers  of  fire  and  of 

sword  ; 
We  know  not  what  perils  await  us  before, 
But  the  tents  we  have  left  we  will  enter  no  more. 

Our  hearts  burn  within  us,  for  Christ  is  our  guide, 
His  courage  our  courage,  we  fight  by  his  side ; 
Though  we  faint  or  we  fall,  we  go  on  to  the  end, 
The  wrong  to  destroy  and  the  right  to  defend. 

Thus  battle  we  ever  for  Christ  and  the  cross, 
Xo  step  we  take  backward,  no  toil  we  count  loss ; 
And  bravest  we  struggle  when  darkest  the  day, 
For  the  hand  of  our  Leader  still  points  us  the  way. 


22  Prudence. 


XVI. 


gtttfctltt. 


The  way  of  life  is  narrow, 
It  passes  through  the  night, 

Thick  branches  seek  to  hide  it, 
And  clouds  refuse  it  light ; 

But  far  ahead  is  glowing 

The  morning's  beacon  bright. 

Who  watches  with  clear  vision 

That  ever-guiding  ray, 
Nor  turns  with  idle  longing 

To  look  beside  the  way, 
Shall  thread  the  narrow  footpath 

And  greet  the  dawning  day. 

But  if  he  cease  his  watching, 
And  fain  would  stop  to  hear 

Strange  sounds  from  out  the  darkness 
That  sweetly  greet  his  ear, 

His  wandering  foot  shall  stumble 
On  dangers  hiding  near. 

The  prudent  heart  is  bravest, 
Nor  fears  the  braggart's  blame, 

It  dares  to  do  its  duty, 

But  shuns  the  zealot's  shame  ; 

No  wilder  wars  pursuing, 
It  battles  in  Christ's  name. 


Temperance.  2 

XVII. 

Itttpmttrt. 

God  gives  to  man  five  wits : 
To  see,  to  hear,  to  smell,  to  touch,  to  taste ; 
He  gives  them  all  to  use,  but  none  to  waste ; 

To  each  its  rule  he  fits. 

Man  may  not  use  his  eyes 
To  turn  with  longing  gaze  on  distant  fields 
Whose  evil  soil  malignant  fruitage  yields, 

Though  fair  its  blossoms  rise. 

Nor  may  his  eager  lips, 
All  careless  of  the  serpent  in  the  vine, 
Receive  the  luring  cup  of  Circe's  wine, 

That  poisons  him  who  sips. 

But  he  whose  every  sense 
Is  made  a  gate  where  nought  can  enter  in 
That  bears  upon  its  front  one  mark  of  sin, 

Shall  have  God's  own  defence. 

It  is  the  Holy  Ghost 
Who  takes  man's  body  for  his  temple  fair ; 
And  he  who  guards  it  with  most  constant  care 

Shall  please  its  Tenant  best. 


24  Truth. 

XVIII. 

There  stands  a  Guide  before  me 
Who  comes  in  Jesus'  name ; 

A  star  shines  in  her  forehead, 
She  bears  a  sword  of  flame. 

Her  eyes  look  through  and  through  me, 
They  burn  with  endless  youth, 

Her  hand  points  ever  onward  ; 
It  is  the  hand  of  Truth. 

I  know  not  where  she  goeth, 

But  I  must  follow,  too, 
In  pleasant  paths  or  thorny, 

The  distant  journey  through. 

She  shuns  the  ways  I  trusted, 

And  where  I  dared  not  go 
She  bids  me  enter  fearless, 

God's  treasures  there  to  know. 

Thus  all  along  life's  pathway 
Truth  shows  the  upward  way, 

Until  her  guidance  brings  me 
To  God's  eternal  daw 


Justice. 


XIX. 

gtttto, 

A  hundred  noble  wishes  fill  my  heart, 
I  long  to  help  each  soul  in  need  of  aid  ; 

In  all  good  works  my  zeal  would  have  its  part, 
Before  no  weight  of  toil  it  stands  afraid. 

But  noble  wishes  are  not  noble  deeds, 
And  he  does  least  who  seeks  to  do  the  whole  ; 

Who  works  the  best,  his  simplest  duties  heeds, 
Who  moves  the  world,  first  moves  a  single  soul. 

Then  go,  my  heart,  thy  plainest  work  begin, 

Do  first  not  what  thou  canst,  but  what  thou  must ; 

Build  not  upon  a  corner-stone  of  sin, 

Nor  seek  great  works  until  thou  first  be  just. 


26  Charity. 


XX. 

Whatever  be  the  sin  that  grieves  my  sight, 
Whatever  wrong  I  struggle  to  make  right, 
On  sin  and  wrong  more  grievous  I  must  fall, 
If  charity  I  show  not  first  of  all ; 
Shall  God  or  man  have  charity  for  me 
When  I,  poor  soul,  refuse  it  unto  thee  ? 

But  if,  when  sin  and  woe  I  strive  to  heal, 

The  grace  of  charity  I  soonest  feel, 

Then  Christ's  rebuke,  not  mine,  my  life  shall  show, 

For  he  shall  walk  beside  me  where  I  go, 

And  God  and  men  have  charity  for  me, 

Since  I,  poor  soul,  bestow  it  upon  thee. 


Comfort.  27 


XXI. 

(Btomfort. 

A  single  word  is  a  little  thing, 

But  a  soul  may  be  dying  before  your  eyes 
For  lack  of  the  comfort  a  word  may  bring, 

With  its  welcome  help  and  its  sweet  surprise. 

A  kindly  look  costs  nothing  at  all, 

But  a  heart  may  be  starving  for  just  one  glance 
That  shall  show  by  the  eyelid's  tender  fall 

The  help  of  a  pitying  countenance. 

It  is  easy  enough  to  bend  the  ear 
To  catch  some  tale  of  sore  distress  ; 

But  men  may  be  fainting  beside  us  here, 
For  longing  to  share  their  weariness. 

These  gifts  nor  silver  nor  gold  may  buy, 

Nor  the  wealth  of  the  richest  of  men  bestow, 

But  the  comfort  of  word,  or  ear,  or  eye 
The  poorest  may  offer  wherever  he  go. 


Help. 


XXII. 

ielrr. 

The  world  is  full  of  labor, 

It  toils  in  weariness  ; 
You  cannot  bear  its  burden, 

But  you  can  make  it  less. 

A  little  child  is  trying 

To  lift  a  heavy  load ; 
Go,  help  the  helpless  toiler 

Along  the  weary  road. 

A  poor  old  friendless  woman 

Is  tottering  on  alone  ; 
Her  trembling  strength  has  failed  her ; 

Go,  offer  her  your  own. 

Though  little  be  each  action, 
Its  heart  the  Lord  shall  see  ; 

And  his  shall  be  the  witness  : 
"Ye  did  it  unto  me." 


Patience.  29 


XXIII. 

If,  when  you  labor  all  the  day, 
You  see  its  minutes  slip  away 
With  joy  unfound,  with  work  undone, 
And  hope  descending  with  the  sun, 

Then  cheerily  lie  down  to  rest ; 
The  longest  work  shall  be  the  best ; 
And  when  the  morrow  greets  your  eyes, 
With  strong  and  patient  heart  arise. 

For  Patience,  stern  and  leaden-eyed, 
Looks  far  where  future  joys  abide  ; 
Nor  sees  short  sadness  at  her  feet, 
For  sight  of  triumph  long  and  sweet. 


30  Hope. 


XXIV. 

When  thick  on  our  hearts  fall  the  clouds  of  the 

night, 
And  grief  and  distress  banish  joy  from  our  sight, 
Though  deep  in  the  darkness  of  sorrow  we  grope, 
We  bear  in  our  bosoms  the  promise  of  hope. 

When   woe,   sin,   and    death  whisper   naught   but 

despair, 
And  there  fades  from  our  lips  the  sweet  purpose  of 

prayer, 
Then  back  to  our  Father  does  hope  lead  the  way, 
And  fair  in  the  gloom  shines  the  promise  of  day. 

Or  if  God  in  his  love  grant  us  gladness  and  peace, 
Think  not  that  the  gifts  of  his  bounty  shall  cease ; 
Still  onward  points  hope,  for  God's  future  is  long, 
To  the  wise  shall  come  wisdom,  and  strength  to 
the  strong. 


Purity.  31 


XXV. 

purity. 

We  cannot  reach  thy  kingdom,  Lord, 
Xor  look  to  heaven's  door, 

Until  with  childhood's  purity 

Our  hearts  grow  bright  once  more. 

The  pure  in  heart  their  God  shall  see, 

Of  such  his  kingdom  is, 
And  childlike  ears  alone  can  hear 

The  heavenly  harmonies. 

The  gentle  word,  the  guileless  mind, 
The  trustful  soul  are  theirs, 

The  little  children  of  the  Lord, 
Whose  Lily  life  he  shares. 


32  Humility, 


XXVI. 

Humility. 

Humility  is  not  to  say 

14  I  know  that  I  am  less  than  God," 
Nor  yet  with  meekness  to  obey 

The  law's  decree,  the  ruler's  rod. 

The  humble  heart  is  quick  to  see 
A  nobler  heart  in  any  breast ; 

And  knows  it  not,  although  it  be 
Itself  more  great  than  all  the  rest. 

No  jot  of  wisdom  shall  it  miss, 
It  knows  its  ignorance  so  well ; 

The  whole  wide  world  its  teacher  is, 
To  it  the  heavens  their  secrets  tell. 

It  sees,  when  others  blind  their  eyes ; 

It  builds,  when  all  men  overthrow ; 
And  so  at  length,  in  strange  surprise, 

It  reigns  where  fallen  pride  lies  low. 


Sacrifice,  ^ 


XXVII, 

gtottiiitt. 

Short  is  the  lesson  the  Master  hath  taught  us, 
Plain  is  its  meaning,  that  all  men  may  know; 

Close  in  your  heart  hide  the  gift  that  he  brought  us, 
Out  in  your  life  let  its  influence  go. 

This  is  the  word  that  he  brought  us  from  heaven  : 
Give  unto  others  the  things  you  count  dear ; 

Xot  for  yourself  be  the  life  you  are  given  ; 
Not  all  your  own  be  your  happiness  here. 

Speed  thee  to  labor,  and  sorrow,  and  trial, 
Strong  be  the  heart  that  is  weary  and  sore ; 

Welcome  be  hate,  and  neglect,  and  denial, 
If  but  the  Master  hath  known  them  before. 

So  shall  your  heritage  all  be  immortal, 

Thieves  shall  not  steal  it,  nor  canker  destroy  ; 

Glimpses  of  glory  shall  brighten  death's  portal, 
Sorrow  and  sacrifice  rise  into  joy. 


34  Peace. 


XXVIII. 

If  sin  be  in  the  heart, 
The  fairest  sky  is  foul,  and  sad  the  summer  weather, 
The  eye  no  longer  sees  the  lambs  at  play  together, 
The  dull  ear  cannot  hear  the  birds  that  sing  so 

sweetly, 
And  all  the  joy  of  God's  good  earth  is  gone  com- 
pletely, 

If  sin  be  in  the  heart. 

If  peace  be  in  the  heart, 
The  wildest  winter  storm  is  full  of  solemn  beauty, 
The  midnight  lightning  flash  but  shows  the  path  of 

duty, 
Each  living  creature  tells  some  new  and  joyous 

story, 
The  very  trees  and  stones  all  catch  a  ray  of  glory, 
If  peace  be  in  the  heart. 


Wisdom.  35 


XXIX. 

itfisidom. 

A  candle  in  the  night 
But  little  space  makes  bright ; 
And  when  the  skylark  sings 
He  soars  on  fading  wings. 

Thus  wisdom  may  not  see 
The  things  that  distant  be, 
Nor  may  its  eager  ear 
The  world's  far  secrets  hear. 

But  God  exists  ;  what  more 
Lies  hid  in  learned  lore  ? 
My  duty  well  I  know  ; 
Has  life  aught  else  to  show  ? 

God's  works  and  ways  I  see, 
God's  wisdom  teaches  me  ; 
I  seek  no  other  guide 
If  He  be  at  my  side. 


36  Worship. 


XXX. 

Brave  spirit,  that  will  brook  no  intervention, 
But  thus  alone  before  thy  God  dost  stand, 

Content  if  he  but  see  thy  heart's  intention, — 
Why  spurn  the  suppliant  knee  and  outstretched 
hand  ? 

Sweet  soul,  that  kneelest  in  the  solemn  glory 
Of  yon  cathedral  altar,  while  the  prayer 

Of  priest  or  bishop  tells  thine  own  heart's  story, — 
Why  think  that  they  alone  heaven's  keys  may 
bear? 

Man  worships  with  the  heart ;  for  wheresoever 
One  burning  pulse  of  heartfelt  homage  stirs, 

There  God  shall   straightway  find  his  own,   and 
never, 
In  church  or  desert,  miss  his  worshippers. 


Praise.  37 


XXXI. 

grxfet. 

I  praise  thee,  God  the  Father,  for  this  good  gift  of 

life, 
Else  I  had  never  known  the  joy  that  brightens 

Christian  strife. 

I  praise  thee,  Christ  the  Saviour,  for  all  thine  earthly 

woe ; 
Hadst  thou  not  grieved  and  died  for  me,  I  had  not 

loved  thee  so. 

I  praise  thee,  Holy  Spirit,  thy  grace  hath  entered 

in  ; 
Until  thy  light  fell  on  my  heart,  I  could  not  see  my 

sin. 

I   praise  thee,   blessed    Trinity,    Creator,   Saviour, 

Guide  ; 
O  let  the  thanks  that  fill   my  soul  forever  there 

abide  ! 


38  Joy. 


XXXII. 

foil. 

A  sense  of  joy  is  not  enough  ; 

The  Christian's  face  should  shine 
As  with  a  heavenly  radiance 

Of  happiness  divine. 

Mere  looks  of  joy  are  not  enough  ; 

The  Christian's  words  should  tell 
To  every  ear  that  God  is  good, 

And  loves  his  creatures  well. 

Bright  words  of  joy  are  not  enough  ; 

The  Christian's  life  should  show 
The  gladness  springing  in  his  heart, 

That  all  its  source  may  know. 

A  joyful  life  is  not  enough  ; 

The  Christian's  death  should  be 
A  gladsome  passing  through  the  gate 

Of  immortality. 


Triumph.  39 

XXXIII. 

Irtompft, 

Our  war  is  full  of  danger, 

Its  fight  is  fierce  and  long, 
Temptations  crowd  before  us, 

Behind  are  sin  and  wrong ; 
But  through  the  smoke  of  conflict 

We  see  the  victor's  palm, 
And  catch,  beyond  the  struggle, 

A  glimpse  of  holy  calm. 

There  stands  the  sacred  city, 

Aflame  in  golden  light ; 
There  Jesus  waits  in  glory 

To  greet  each  faithful  knight ; 
There  throngs  of  saints  and  angels 

Lift  up  their  glad  acclaim  : 
"These  victors  won  their  crowning, 

They  conquered  in  His  name." 

Then,  brothers,  speed  we  onward, 

This  world  shall  waste  away, 
Its  kings  and  kingdoms  perish, 

Its  night-time  follow  day ; 
Though  stars  and  suns  shall  crumble, 

And  time's  procession  cease, 
We  seek  our  home  in  heaven, 

The  long  abode  of  peace. 


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31  A  If,      +u+yi/,fje: 


BY  WILLIAM  IT.  BURLEIGH. 


Tho  sweet,  voluptuous  May 
Is  otfre  at  length— through  all  its  sunny  hours 
prinkleflow 

In  beautiful  array  ; 
And  clothe  with  deeper  verdure  hill  and  plain, 
4nd  give  the  woods  t'.ieir  glory  back  again. 

No  bird  whose  swelling  throat 
Quivers  with  song,  or  whose  extended  wing 
Fans  the  soft  air.  but  cheerlier  doth  sing, 

While  on  the  breezes  float 
Odors  from  blossoms  which  the  sun's  caress 
ty'akes  to  new  life  in  field  and  wilder  n 

The  shimmering  sunlight  falls 
On  mount  and  valley  with  a  softer  sheen  ; 
And  lo  !  the  orchards, newly  clothed  with  green, 

Lift  up  their  coronals 
Of  flowers  bright-hued,or,  shaken  by  the  breeze, 
Rain  their  sweet  largess  from  a  thousand  trees. 

The  green  and  tender  maize 
Pierces  the  moistened  moulr],  and  from  theriir. 
An.l  earth,  and  sunlight,    gathers    strength    to 
dare 

The  sultry  summer  days  ; 
And  Spring's  sweet  promise  of  Autumnal  fruit 
Lives  in  the  blade  oi  every  fragile  shoot, 

underneath  the  sky  ; 
Where  the  free  winds  may  toss  their  sunny  curll 
Frolic  glad  companies  ot  boys  and  girls 

In  sinless  revelry  : 
While  Nature  smil  r   play, 

And  lambs  and  birds  with  them  keep  holiday, 

• 

►und  them 
Green  earth  beneath,  the  blue  sky  overhead— 

Aivl  with  exultant  voice 
Pour  their  thanksgiving  to  the  Lord  of  all. 

Loving  care  notes  even  the  sparrow's  falj. 

Then  welcome,  bonny  May  \ 
Thy  breeses,fragraiit  with  the  breath  offlowera, 

\Viih  song  and  sheen  that  make  thy    laughing 

Tli-.  lay ! 

rratefrl  hearts  th; 

■  with  thankful 
I —Independent. 


